Tennessee football: Ranking all 10 Vols head coaches’ second NFL Draft classes

2. 1995

Phillip Fulmer

Number of NFL Draft picks: 6

• James Stewart, RB (Jacksonville Jaguars: Round 1, Pick 19)
• Ron Davis, DB (Atlanta Falcons: Round 2, Pick 41)
• Aaron Hayden, RB (San Diego Chargers: Round 4, Pick 104)
• Ben Talley, LB (New York Giants: Round 4, Pick 133)
• Jerry Colquitt, QB (Carolina Panthers: Round 6, Pick 191)
• Billy Williams, WR (Arizona Cardinals: Round 7, Pick 212)

You could technically say 1994 was Phillip Fulmer’s second draft class, but we’re attributing Tennessee football’s 1993 class to Johnny Majors. So similar to Robert Neyland, Fulmer’s second class on here is not necessarily coming off his second year on the job, although it somewhat is.

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Also, as Neyland followed his second draft class with the golden age of the Vols, Fulmer’s followed his second draft class with the best four-year period in the modern era of the program. However, the draft was not as notable as it looks on paper. James “Little Man” Stewart, who had left as UT’s all-time leading rusher, had the best career, playing for eight years in the pros.

Aaron Hayden, who arrived with Stewart in 1991 and was the better back early in their careers, was solid but only had four years. Ben Talley also played four years. Ron Davis and Billy Williams each had one year on the roster.

Jerry Colquitt was supposed to be the starter in 1994 but had a seaon-ending injury. He was drafted but couldn’t overcome that injury, an incident that eventually led to Peyton Manning becoming the starter.

Taking all that into account, Tennessee football had a solid NFL Draft class here. But it was nothing compared to draft classes Fulmer was about to fill the NFL with, starting the next year when eight players would be selected.